Lizard Creek Campground

The Great Outdoors

In the southern Pocono foothills, Beltzville State Park is well worth a visit when you rent a camper near Lizard Creek Campground. Just five miles' drive from Lehighton, the 3,000-acre park is a popular destination to relax and cool off thanks to its large sandy beach and a 949-acre lake. Aside from swimming, boating, and fishing, the park is also a great place to go for a hike with 15 miles of trails. Take the Saw Mill Trail for a hike steeped in history, passing by a slate quarry from the 1700s, a dam and gateways, as well as various ponds. Mountain biking is allowed on the 2.5-mile Christman Trail. For picnics, stop by at the Pine Run West Day Use Area where you can park and make use of the various picnic tables and pavilions with access to drinking water. There are also restrooms and a children's playground.Another must-visit park when you're RV camping at Lizard Creek Campground is Lehigh Gorge State Park, with its Jim Thorpe entrance around 20 minutes' drive away. The park features a narrow, high-walled gorge carved out by the Lehigh River. With its rocky outcrops, dense vegetation, and waterfalls, the park is a great place to get away from it all. An extremely popular destination for whitewater rafting, you can also hike or bike along the Lehigh Gorge Trail. The trail is based on an abandoned railroad alongside the river with some spectacular views, including the historical remnants of the Upper Grand Section of the Lehigh Canal. Turn Hole Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel now open to the public, is also worth a visit, as are the spectacular Buttermilk and Glen Onoko Waterfalls.Just a little over 30 minutes' drive from the campground brings you to Tuscarora State Park, home to the 96-acre Tuscarora Lake. With its sandy swimming beach, picnic area, and seasonal food concessions, the park is a popular place for family days out and relaxation. The lake is also a great spot for fishing, complete with its fishing pier and boat launch. Boat rentals are available seasonally, including rowboats, canoes, and pedal boats. Tuscarora Park features several trails of varying difficulty, from easy strolls along old logging roads to the more challenging Locust Mountain Trail that takes you up to the top of Locust Mountain. For spectacular views of the lake, be sure to take the short Lake View Trail. The park's huge diversity of trees also makes it a good place to go wildlife spotting, with deer, bear, turkey, and grouse often sighted. You can learn all about the local plant and wildlife at the park's Nature Center.

Exploring the Area

There's plenty to see and do in the area with your rental motorhome near Lizard Creek Campground. If you're interested in history and architecture, be sure to drive over and visit the Asa Packer Mansion Museum, located in nearby Jim Thorpe. The house is one of the finest remaining examples of Italianate architecture in the United States. Dating back to 1861, it was the home of railroad and coal magnate Asa Packer, also the founder of Lehigh University. The three-story, 17-room mansion is remarkable both inside and out, thanks to the excellent preservation of its original Victorian furnishings and finishes.Another exciting place to visit while you're in the area is Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary, also situated in Jim Thorpe. It's an especially popular spot for young children, in particular, being both highly interactive and educational. Learn about how butterflies are born and how they contribute to nature. There are activity rooms for children and a live butterfly room where you can interact with butterflies. The gift shop is well stocked with interesting and educational gifts. It's a must-visit for nature lovers or families with little ones when camping at Lizard Creek Campground.Just under an hour's drive from the campground not far from Hazleton, Eckley Miners' Village is a great place to experience the area's past in the present. The village is almost frozen in time, a near-perfect representation of what life was like living in a planned 19th-century coal mining town. Learn all about the anthracite coal mining industry and the early stages of America's industrial revolution. Take part in a living history event, learn about the workers' daily lives, and view some of the visitor center's educational exhibits, there is a huge amount to see and experience that will interest all ages.Be sure to stop by neighboring Lehighton when you're camping with an RV at Lizard Creek Campground. There are several grocery stores where you can stock up on supplies, as well as a handful of gas stations. If you fancy dining out, there's a good selection of local eateries and restaurants with Italian and American cuisines particularly well represented.